MRE's

[Caranthir]

Hey fellas.

I've been looking around for trail grub that dosent need cooking and figured MRE's to be about the same price as other food companies.

I did the math and figured about $5000.00 for enough MRE's to carry me from end to end.

I will be supplimenting with other things for snacks and such, but wanted some outside opinions.

So, has anyone out there used MRE's exclusively for thru hikes?

[Nean]

Most people avioded them because of weight, I thought. Now... I think it could be cost.:eek: MREs are a lot better than they used to be...... and it don't hurt that hikers are always starving.;) There are other alternatives. Stoves can be quick and light, just like the food they cook. MREs also mean Maildrops and even more $.:mad: If you are rolling in the dough, maybe it works for you. I like the freedom of stopping where I want, resupplying when I want and deciding what I feel like eating, then and there.:-?

[fiddlehead]

This subject has been brought up a few times on whiteblaze. Check out this thread not too long ago: http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=13120&highlight=mre
I think you'll find they are way too heavy and bulky to be considered seriously. Go put 7 or 8 or them in your pack, go out for 3 days and then let us know what you concluded. (after all if you're thinking about eating them exclusively for 5 months, this is the least you can do)

[SGT Rock]

$5,000.00!

Don't do it. You will regret it.

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

I suggest you do a search for "freezer bag" on this site and also go to Sarbar's web site (http://freezerbagcooking.com/) on Freezer bag cooking - a method of not cooking or cleaning up, but eating well. It is lighter, cheaper and will give you far more choices about what you eat.

[Newb]

I use them for overnights or 3 day hikes in small doses. They are too heavy for long range hiking. However, it is nice to have the bulk every now and then. Carry just an entree or two and you should be fine if you're determined to take them at all.

[jazilla]

Speaking from experience, they make your ...... dropping smell really horrible after a couple of days of use.

[buckhead]

I use to like the MREs. But, portions are small and they are Just too heavy. One MRE weighs between 22 and 24 ounces. Which is supposed to be one 1200 calorie meal. So you would need two to two and a half meals a day. That would be 3 lbs a day carry weight! :(

[Time To Fly 97]

Weighs more, costs more, doesn't fill you up, takes up more space....hmmm

TTF

[Amigi'sLastStand]

I use MRE's for short hikes. I get them real cheap, $2.50, so they make sense to me. BUT, for a LDH, like a thru, no way would I consider them. Too heavy, too much trash to carry out, and not filling enough. There are a ton of simple recipes here and more links in those threads to other sights for good trail food.

[Just Jeff]

Hey Amigi, get your finger out of your nose.

I do the same w/ MREs - carry them on short hikes now and then but I wouldn't plan on them being a significant part of my diet for anything longer than 3-4 days.